The all-new Toyota RAV4 is now available in South Africa.
As you can see from the image, the styling is a radical departure from the norm for Toyota. It’s a striking thing. The Japanese manufacturer says “the RAV4’s dynamic new design boasts assertive and angular features with a bold bumper, grille, LED headlights and tail lights creating a broad, athletic build that tapers towards the back to provide an all-round muscular appearance.”
The upside of the new platform can be seen on the inside as well. There’s more space all-round and the materials are of a high quality.
The new RAV4 is offered with a choice of two petrol engines, a 2.0-litre or 2.5-litre four-cylinder unit.
The 2.0-litre engine delivers a maximum power output of 127 kW @ 6600 rpm and peak torque of 203 Nm between 4400 and 4800 rpm, while also offering a fuel consumption of between 6.5 – 6.8 l/100km and C02 emissions as low as 147 g/km. The flagship 2.5-litre engine produces 152 kW of power at 6600 rpm, and peak torque of 243 Nm between 4000 and 5000 rpm, while offering fuel consumption of 7.3 l/100km and C02 emissions as low as 166 g/km.
The choice of a 6-speed manual, Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) or an 8-speed automatic transmission, make for smooth driving, no matter your preference. The 2.0-litre engine is paired with either the rev-matching 6-speed Intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT) or Shiftmatic CVT option and offered in 2WD or AWD guise (dependent on grade selected).
The 2.5-litre is exclusively combined with an 8-speed Sport Direct Shift transmission, which offers smooth and crisp shifts and lock-up control when in Sport mode.
The all-wheel drive model is equipped with Toyota’s first torque vectoring system This manages torque distribution between the left and right rear wheels using twin couplings on the rear axle to give stable performance and accurate response to the driver’s steering inputs when cornering, both in dry and slippery conditions. Toyota says it’s all-wheel drive performance is further improved with the introduction of AWD Integrated Management (AIM), a unique feature in its class. This automatically adjusts different vehicle systems – steering assist, brake and throttle control, shift pattern and drive torque distribution – according to the drive mode selected. ‘Mud & Sand’ and ‘Rock & Dirt’ modes are available.
For the first time the RAV4 line-up will comprise a three-grade strategy – GX, GX-R and VX. The GX and VX grades are familiar to current owners whilst the newly added GX-R ushers in a new ‘edgier’ kind of RAV4.
The GX model forms the foundation and offers 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, LED headlights, push-button start, a seven-inch display audio and multi-information display (MID), Cruise Control, Reverse Camera and rear Park Distance Control (PDC) are also included.
The new GX-R grade is aimed at customers looking for a more rugged exterior appearance and increased off-road usage. The GX-R receives an enlarged upper front grille with broad horizontal slats, a larger more prominent skidplate and chunky black over-fenders.
In terms of specification, it bridges the gap between the entry GX- and flagship VX-grades by adding power-adjustable leather seats with lumbar support, seat heaters, leather steering wheel and trim, smart entry, auto-dimming interior mirror, rain-sensing wipers, wireless charging and climate control. The exterior inherits 18-inch alloy wheels to match the visual differentiation. Seat heating and ventilation are provided for front passengers.
The range-topping VX is further augmented by 19-inch high-gloss alloy wheels, Auto High Beam (AHB), Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, memory seats, power-operated tailgate, Panoramic View Monitor plus front PDC.
The TFT multi-information display (MID) occupies the centre of the instrument cluster and provides a host of information to the driver including a large LCD speedometer. The display includes all MID readouts, cruise-control functionality and status of the advanced safety features (where fitted). On AWD models the active torque split can also be monitored.
On the safety side it is equipped with a raft of safety features. A full suite of Airbags – including knee and curtain types – are fitted to all models, with electronic driver aids in the form of ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Hill Assist Control (HAC) and Trailer Sway Control all catered for.
The VX model introduces Toyota Safety Sense for the first time on RAV4, which encompasses Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with Steering Control, Blind-Spot Monitor (BSM) and Pre-Crash System (PCS). The Adaptive Cruise Control and LDA systems thereby lend a level of autonomous driving to the VX models by offering steering assist as well as radar-controlled braking in conjunction with acceleration functions.
Pricing
RAV4 2.0 GX MT 2WD – R 416 400
RAV4 2.0 GX CVT 2WD – R 427 600
RAV4 2.0 GX-R CVT AWD – R508 100
RAV4 2.0 VX CVT 2WD – R505 400
RAV4 2.5 VX 8AT AWD – R577 900
